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Hard Working Class Heroes Photographers Exhibition

The launch of the photography exhibition takes place in the Button Factory tonight at 6pm.

Hard Working Class Heroes have announced details of this year’s Photographic Exhibition at the Festival. This year the exhibition is curated by State Magazine and 25 photographers have been selected to exhibit in The Button Factory exhibition space, which will be open to the general public throughout the weekend of the festival.

Our Art Director Simon Roche had this to say about the whole thing – “State Magazine are visibly excited about the music photography exhibition as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes festival. Hand picked from the hundreds of entries are 30 photographs, all creative. Some are low-budget genius, some weird live shots and a whole load of others are damn clever photography with a music slant. Most prove Robert Capa’s theory: “If it’s not good enough, you’re not close enough.” They also prove a new theory of ours, namely: “If it’s not good enough, you’re probably trying to do what a million people before have done and it’s so yawn”. Great, captivating photography doesn’t have to depend on lighting, cost, special access, or even very expensive kit – it’s all about using what you’re given brilliantly and turning limitations into advantage. And in some cases – being close enough!”

The 25 photographers selected are:

Yan Bourke began his love of photography at the age of 12. He divides his time in Dublin between wanting to be an artist, a rock star and being a student.

Enda Casey is based in Co. Meath and currently photographs all types of live performances including music, drama, opera and comedy et al.

George Coppock runs his own commercial photography studio in Leeds. He also shoots a lot of music photography, mostly live gigs.
Luke Danniells was born Manchester and all types of performance and street photography are a constant in his work. He also teaches photography for the VEC in the midlands.

Barry Delaney from Dublin has spent the past year documenting the lives of ordinary Irish people through his photography. He recently won the TG4 “Ireland in the 21st Century” competition.

Dolan is a Dublin-based who has been shooting since his teens when he started taking pictures of his mates doing wheelies in supermarket car parks. Now and then he shoots live bands as a way of getting free tickets and beer.

Mark Duggan has photographed for a host of music and culture companies including shooting billboard campaigns. He also directs music videos.

Cait Fahey is an 18 year old photography student. She is an avid gig goer who combines her passion for music and art in her photography.
Richard Gilligan from Dublin has been addicted to skateboarding ever since he saw Back To The Future. Skateboarding led to an interest in photography, which soon snowballed into another obsession. He loves toast and is also slightly obsessed with smells, really bad rap music and cinnamon.

James Goulden works with everyone from unsigned bands to international artists. He is married to fellow music photographer, Shawna Scott.
Darren Kirwan is a photography student in Limerick. He recently set up his own business called ‘dk photography’. A big part of his work is music photography.

Alan Maguire is based in Belfast, has been a music photographer since 2003. His work has been widely published.

Paul Marconi spends most of his time at smaller acts in local venues like Whelans, Vicar Street and The Academy.
Niall Marshall started working in Dance Magazines and has shot Dance events all over the world. He is currently a photographer for the Irish News Of The World.

Martini One day, I made a mate, he was a pitcher box taker. Since that day, Toby (the pitcher box taker) and I go everywhere together, capturing all that we want to remember. We both really love music. We’re a match made in heaven really. :]

Shane O’Neill got his first camera at the tender age of ten and was instantly hooked. Twenty years later Waterford man Shane is one of the brightest young prospects around.

Farzad Qasim is a graphic designer who aims to deliver striking visuals without the typical requirement of expensive, high-tech equipment.

Loreana Rushe is a Dublin-based freelance photographer whose passion for music and art has taken her and her lenses the length and breadth of Ireland and the UK and won her numerous media plaudits.

Johnny Savage began his work as a free-lance photographer and assistant, working with leading photographers from Ireland, the UK and USA

Shawna Scott is originally from Seattle. Along with her husband, James, she is now one of Ireland’s busiest music photographers.
Shane Serrano is a Latino Dublin-born photographer but Limerick is where his heart is. Heavily influenced by his background in skateboarding and music, he has spend many years touring and drumming around the world, most recently with his band Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters.

John Sherlock‘s interest in photography soon became an obsession. Having grafted as a musician on the Irish circuit for many years, he found the exciting and challenging world of music photography a perfect way of combining the two loves.

Gene Smirnov realised after 3 years of studies in Economics and Law that his heart was in arts. Based in Philadelphia his specialties include environmental portrait, music promo and advertising photography.

Richard Topham‘s interests lie in the bigger ‘picture’ and he loves finding moments in the things that interest him be it music, nature, sports or life in general.

Feargal Ward works as a press photographer in Dublin. He recently opened ‘The Joinery’ – a gallery/workspaces/photostudio/experimental space in Stoneybatter, Dublin

Agnieszka Zwa(r)ra was born in Gdansk and trained as an Architect. She focuses on performance, street photography, architecture and fine art.